Habitat and Species Survey
One of the main areas of research we cover are the habitat and species surveys. These are projects or activities which principly involve the recording of species or habitats (communities of species) in a systematic way.
We need such data in order to identify areas which are valuable either for a single rare species such as the scarce crimson and gold moth, marsh saxifrage (pictured left), or those areas which have a rich and valuable species diversity such as Strangford Lough.
Many of our studies have involved mapping the distribution of key species in Northern Ireland such as the Irish hare and the smooth newt. Much of it has been procured from experts from outside of the NIEA or in partnership with other organisations.
Habitat and species research includes all habitat types including marine and freshwater types and is often carried out in conjunction with other broader biodiversity related research activities. Examples include surveys of rare taxa in support of Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) designations, Phase 1 habitat type surveys, surveys to identify Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs) and marine surveys.
Recent survey reports
Wood Pasture and Parkland Scoping Study 2006 (.PDF 656Kb)
Thermal Image Survey of Seals around the Coast of Northern Ireland (.PDF 276Kb)
A Survey of the Scarce Crimson and Gold (Pyrausta sanguinalis) in Northern Ireland (.PDF 760Kb)
Survey of Lough Neagh for Stenus palposus Ahrens and Bembidion argenteolum Zetterstedt (.PDF 808Kb)
Reassessing the distribution of the Otter (Lutra lutra) in Northern Ireland (.PDF 4.28Mb)
Research on biodiversity priority bryophyte species in Northern Ireland during 2000 (.PDF 224Kb)
Research on Biodiversity Priority Bryophyte species in Northern Ireland during 2002 (.PDF 236Kb)
